set the scene - the big beam above the door has rotted away and fallen down

- there's a log holding it up at the right-hand-end ..!!

we thought we could replace it and keep the wall above intact - we were wrong ..!!

basically we demolished the 'triangle' of wall as it was balanced on the beam

- then to replace it with a (wildly over-speced, but most cost-effective) steel replacement.

the step from the picture above to this one does not do the effort and weight of this RSJ justice.

classic - think we may have seen this pose before - it appears I wear this t-shirt for all jobs......

....hey, it brings me luck, alright ..!!     8-o

finally - chain-saw the old beam in two and affix 'inside' the RSJ - hey-presto

 - a looky-likey replacement wooden beam

fyi - this work was several weeks ago and it still looks the same - anyone know a cheap stonemason .?